Et Cetera …

We believe the city of Fairmont has worked diligently and in good faith to provide a drinking-water system for the future for businesses and residents. The drought and (frustrating) decisions at the state level have created some problems with this, in terms of raw water availability. Neither are factors the city can control.

With the city completing a new water treatment plant, it must do what it can to make sure it has the raw water it needs. That may include some groundwater, which may raise treatment costs slightly. So be it.

Plan would help schools

The Fairmont Area school district will see some savings next year from staff retirements and reductions related to slightly lower enrollment. Administrators want to plow most of those savings into a new administrative structure that will help the schools meet state mandates on teacher evaluations and bullying. The district also would like to tackle attendance issues.

The district has to have the flexibility it needs to do what it believes it must, and what it believes is right. If savings are available to help achieve these goals, we can’t see a problem with implementing them.

Go slow, with finesse

We must disagree with Fairmont City Councilman Terry Anderson, who is pushing hard – too hard – to begin negotiations with Gold Cross Ambulance over its lease at the fire hall. Yes, Gold Cross has been getting a unbelievably sweet deal, paying just $1 per year for the space. But the object now should be to work out a deal that is fair to both sides, and to keep Gold Cross in town, serving local residents.

We can imagine Fairmont not having an ambulance service, and then the city weighing incentive packages – cheap storage space??- to attract one.

Noise is major problem

The Fairmont Police Department is ready to begin a campaign to crack down on loud exhausts, whether on cars or motorcycles. We applaud the effort. We don’t know if Fairmont has a unique problem in this regard, but it definitely has had the problem for quite some time.

There is a segment of the population that believes the purpose of a vehicle is to rev the engine and blast noise out the tailpipe. Fun for them, aggravating to everyone else.

We hope the police effort is strong enough and long enough to make a lasting impression. If not, regular enforcement campaigns should be on the agenda.